新闻听力 | 美国各州推动在高中禁止使用手机

VOA慢速:美国各州推动在高中禁止使用手机US States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools 慢速 | 四级 偏难 | 677词 | 6min48s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What is the main focus of this report?A. The benefits of allowing cell phone use in high schools.B. The push for cell phone bans in U.S. high schools.C. The technological advancements in educational tools.D. The differences in educational policies across states.Q2. What reason did Governor Glenn Youngkin give for restricting cell phone use in Virginia schools?A. To reduce the amount of time spent on social media.B. To align with federal educational guidelines.C. To increase physical activities among students.D. Because students who use phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.Q3. What was a common issue reported by teachers regarding student cell phone use?A. Students frequently make phone calls during class.B. Students use phones to cheat on exams.C. Students are distracted by the content on their phones.D. Students refuse to bring phones to school.Q4. Why does James Granger believe that physically removing cellphones from students is effective?A. It prevents students from losing their phones.B. It ensures students follow school policies.C. It eliminates the possibility of phone usage during class.D. It teaches students to be more responsible.Q5. How do some students feel about policies banning cell phone use in schools?A. They believe it helps them focus better.B. They think it increases their independence.C. They feel it enhances communication with parents.D. They see no benefit to such policies.Part II. TRANSCRIPTUS States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools(Q1) More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions in high schools. The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom. In July, Virginia became the latest in a growing number of U.S. states to restrict cell phone use in public schools. The state’s governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order to establish guidance and policies for local school systems to follow by January.executive n. 有执行权的;实施的;行政的(Q2) Youngkin’s order said, “Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.” It also cited an “alarming mental health crisis” among young people driven by the use of cell phones and social media.Last year, Florida became the first state to restrict the use of cell phones in school. A law that took effect in July requires all Florida public schools to ban student cell phone use during class time and block social media on the school’s wi-fi.The states of Indiana and Ohio passed their own laws this year. Several others, including Oklahoma, Vermont, and Kansas, have also recently introduced what is being called “phone-free schools” legislation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she will push for legislation to ban cell phone use in the coming legislative session in 2025.Cell phone distractionIn a recent public study, the Pew Research Center reported that 72 percent of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.Teachers report less of a problem with younger students. About 33 percent of middle school teachers and six percent of elementary school teachers see cell phone use as problematic.(Q3-1) The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling apps to place bets during the school day.(Q3-2) Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.James Granger is a science teacher at a Los Angeles-area high school. He told the AP, “Students used to have an understanding that you aren’t supposed to be on your phone in class. Those days are gone.” (Q4) Granger added, “The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student.”Some students say such policies take away their independence and cut off their main method of communication with family and friends. Opposition also has come from parents who fear being cut off from their kids if there is a school emergency.Jaden Willoughey is a student at Delta High School in rural Utah. He shares the concern about being out of contact with his parents if there is an emergency. But he also sees the upside, or good result, of turning in his phone at school.upside n. 好的一面,积极面At Delta High School, students are required to leave their phones at the door when entering every class. (Q5) “It helps you focus on your work, and it’s easier to pay attention in class,” Jaden said.Kim Whitman is a leader of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group that advises schools. She told the AP she urges educators to make exceptions for students with special educational and medical needs.Back in VirginiaBack in Virginia, school systems have been increasingly banning or severely restricting students’ phone use.For example, Loudoun County Public Schools, in northern Virginia, passed a new policy last month that generally bans elementary school students from using phones during the school day.Middle school students are permitted to use their phones before or after school, but they are expected to store their phones in their lockers. In high school, students are expected to silence their phones and place them in storage during instructional time.In Richmond, Virginia, the school system started a cell phone ban last year in some of its high schools and middle schools.Jason Kamras is head of the Richmond school system. He said, “We saw more student engagement in class and fewer distractions throughout the day.” Additionally, he said, “Students reported spending more time talking with their peers.”Part III. KEYQ1. B. 主旨题。题目出处为“More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions in high schools. The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom.”以及整篇文章内容。文章主要讨论了美国各州推动高中禁止使用手机的情况。因此答案为B。Q2. D. 细节题。题目出处为“Youngkin’s order said, ‘Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades.’” 意为:“Youngkin的行政令上写道,‘研究表明,在课堂上使用手机的学生学习效果较差,成绩也较低。’” 因此答案为D。Q3. C. 细节题。题目出处为“The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling apps to place bets during the school day. Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.”意为:“美联社报道,加利福尼亚的一位老师抱怨学生在课堂上看Netflix。在马里兰州,一位老师说学生们在上课时使用赌博应用程序下注。美国还有很多教育者称,学生在上学日使用社交媒体,听音乐,网购。”因此答案为C,即学生会被手机里的内容吸引而分心。Q4. C. 推理题。题目出处为“Granger added, ‘The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student.’” 意为:“格兰杰补充道,‘唯一有效的解决方案是把手机从学生身边拿掉。’” 推理可知,这样才能彻底阻止学生在课堂上使用手机,因此答案为C。Q5. A. 细节题。题目出处为“It helps you focus on your work, and it’s easier to pay attention in class,” 意为:“它可以帮助你专注于你的工作,并且更容易在课堂上集中注意力。” 因此答案为A。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

新闻听力 | 微塑料有害吗

VOA慢速:微塑料有害吗Are Microplastics Harmful? 慢速 | 高考 偏难 | 425词 | 4min39s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What are microplastics and where can they be found, according to the text?A. They are natural sea organisms found only in oceans.B. They are tiny plastic pieces found in oceans, air, food, and human body tissues.C. They are a type of food additive used in processed foods.D. They are synthetic materials found only in manufactured products.Q2. What do some researchers believe about microplastics and human health?A. There is definitive evidence that microplastics harm human health.B. There are no concerns about microplastics and human health.C. There are concerns about potential health effects, but no clear evidence yet.D. Microplastics are beneficial to human health.Q3. What can be inferred about the current state of research on microplastics?A. It is in its early stages, and comprehensive conclusions about health effects are yet to be reached.B. It has definitively proved that microplastics are harmless.C. It has been extensively studied for decades with clear guidelines established.D. It shows that microplastics are beneficial for improving heart health.Q4. What is the primary focus of the text?A. The benefits of microplastics in daily life.B. The manufacturing process of microplastics.C. The presence and potential health effects of microplastics.D. Scientific advancements in plastic recycling.Q5. According to the text, how can people reduce their exposure to microplastics?A. By taking vitamins that reduce microplastics.B. By using plastic bottles and containers.C. By eating out frequently.D. By taking off shoes before entering the home and not heating food in plastic containers.Part II. TRANSCRIPTAre Microplastics Harmful?(Q1) Extremely small pieces of plastic called microplastics are in the ocean and the air, as well as in our food and water. Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.(Q2/4) Some researchers worry that microplastics harm human health, although they say that science has not found clear evidence of that. Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.Manufacturers mostly use oil or other petroleum products to make plastic. The material is used to make a huge number of different products: water bottles, car parts, children’s playthings, clothing, electronics and more. Heat, weather, and even animal digestion break down plastic into smaller and smaller pieces.Microplastics can be 5 millimeters long at most or as small as one micrometer. A micrometer is one-one thousandth of a millimeter. Microplastics have been found in salt, sugar, honey, rice and seafood. They have also been found in milk, soil, and drinking water.micrometer n. 微米 Researchers disagree about how much plastic people might be breathing in or taking in as food and drink. Still, many studies find evidence of plastics in body tissues.Tracey Woodruff is a researcher at the University of California at San Francisco. She said, “Microplastics have been measured in pretty much all of the body tissues that have been evaluated.”Scientists are still trying to answer the question of how harmful microplastics might be. In 2022, a World Health Organization report found no clear risk to human health, based on the available evidence.There is also not clear evidence of widespread public health effects.(Q3) However, researchers only recently began to measure plastic levels in the human body and learn about their possible effects. Woodruff of U.C. San Francisco said it makes sense that microplastics are harmful because they contain poisonous chemicals. The researcher was part of an investigative team that examined nearly 2,000 studies about microplastics at the request of California state lawmakers.Some evidence suggests plastics can increase inflammation and other changes in the body. Such changes could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.inflammation n. 炎症 Researchers say there are ways to reduce possible contact with microplastics.(Q5) Take off your shoes before you go into your home. This helps prevent the spread of microplastics inside. Eat foods ― especially fresh fruits and vegetables ― that you prepare at home. Do not heat foods in plastic containers, Woodruff said. And, she added, use metal or glass water bottles, instead of plastic.I’m Andrew Smith. Part III. KEYQ1. B. 细节题。题目出处为:“Extremely small pieces of plastic called microplastics are in the ocean and the air, as well as in our food and water. Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.” 意为:“极小的塑料碎片被称为微塑料,它们存在于海洋和空气以及我们的食物和水中。科学研究还发现,微塑料存在于人体组织中,包括心脏、肝脏和肾脏。”因此答案为B。Q2. C. 细节题。题目出处为:“Some researchers worry that microplastics harm human health, although they say that science has not found clear evidence of that. Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.” 意为:“一些研究人员担心微塑料会危害人类健康,尽管他们表示科学尚未发现明确证据。不过,他们表示,关于微塑料可能对健康造成的影响,仍有许多问题有待解答。”因此答案为C。Q3. A. 推理题。题目出处为:“However, researchers only recently began to measure plastic levels in the human body and learn about their possible effects.”意为:但是,研究人员最近才开始测量人体内的塑料水平并了解其可能的影响。”因此可以推断出,对于微塑料对健康影响的研究还处于早期阶段,尚未得出全面结论。因此答案为A。Q4. C. 主旨题。本文主要讨论了微塑料的存在以及它可能对健康产生的影响。题目出处为:“Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.” 和“Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.”意为:“科学研究还发现,微塑料存在于人体组织中,包括心脏、肝脏和肾脏。”以及“不过,他们表示,关于微塑料可能对健康产生的影响,仍然有问题尚待解答。”因此答案为C。Q5. D. 细节题。题目出处为:“Take off your shoes before you go into your home. This helps prevent the spread of microplastics inside... Do not heat foods in plastic containers… use metal or glass water bottles, instead of plastic.”意为:“进家门之前脱鞋,这有助于防止微塑料在室内扩散……不要在塑料容器中加热食物……使用金属或玻璃水瓶,而不是塑料。”因此答案为D。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

新闻听力 | 小居室如何工作休息两不误?

VOA慢速:小居室如何工作休息两不误?Work, Sleep Well in a Small Place慢速 | CET-4偏易 | 846词 | 8min32s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep in a studio apartment?A. Lack of furniture.B. High cost of living.C. External noise from the street.D. The combined use of the room for living, cooking, and sleeping.Q2. What is the main purpose of the text?A. To describe the history of studio apartments.B. To advise on how to work and sleep well in a small apartment.C. To compare different types of bedding materials.D. To explain the cost of living in large cities.Q3. What are Murphy beds used for in studio apartments according to Andrea Morris?A. To provide additional storage.B. To improve room ventilation.C. To make more room during the dayD. To create a separate kitchen area.Q4. What does Jeff Kahn suggest to help the brain associate your bed with sleep?A. Avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.B. Use special pillows during sleep.C. Avoid eating in bed.D. Keep the room's temperature cool.Q5. What can be inferred about the importance of air quality in a small apartment?A. It can be ignored in favor of light control.B. It is less important than room décor.C. Good air flow and possible use of an air purifier are essential.D. It is only important if you do not cook in the same space.Part II. TRANSCRIPTWork, Sleep Well in a Small PlaceWorking from home in a small apartment is fine during the day. But when nighttime comes, it may be more difficult to turn off work and get a good night’s sleep.(Q1) This can be especially difficult in a studio apartment. In a studio apartment, the living room, kitchen and sleeping area are all in one room. These kinds of apartments are common in large cities with a high cost of living.With electronics, kitchen items, clothes and books all in one space, it can be hard to create a restful place for sleep.(Q2) Kim Cook, a reporter for the Associated Press, asked sleep experts and interior design experts for advice on how to work productively and sleep well in a small one-room area.Be honest about how you liveEveryone needs good sleep to stay healthy.“The primary rule, maybe the only rule of small space design, is people have to be honest about how they really live,” says Olivia Hosken. She is deputy managing editor of House Beautiful.She adds that when you have limited space, you need furniture that works well in the room.A good bed is important for good sleepShe suggests spending money on a high-quality bed. Even better is a high-quality sleep sofa that can double as a bed and couch. She does not suggest big tables or chairs that you may not use.Andrea Morris is an interior designer with Lancaster Place Interiors in Wilmington, North Carolina. (Q3) For studio apartments, she likes wall beds. These can be folded up next to a wall when not in use. They are better known as Murphy beds, named after William Murphy. He came up with this idea in 1900 while living in his own studio apartment in San Francisco, California.Create a sleep areaTo separate your sleep area from the rest of the apartment, you can purchase a freestanding screen or room divider. And as much as you can, keep your sleep area strictly for sleeping, experts say.Jeff Kahn is co-founder of the Chicago-based sleep-research company Rise Science. His company developed a sleep-tracking app called Rise. (Q4) His suggestion is to “avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.” He said that this helps the brain connect your bed with only sleep rather than wakefulness and work.However, that is not always possible. If you use your bed during the daytime, you can do small things to keep your daytime tasks and sleep separate. Lisa Strauss is a psychologist and expert in sleep disorders. She suggests using one side of the bed for reading and the other for sleeping. You can also bring out special blankets and pillows used only for sleeping. Freshen the air. Lower the lights. Cut the noise.Kahn also suggests keeping a clean, peaceful environment. For starters, he says to make sure the air flow is good.(Q5) “Make sure your space is well ventilated, and consider an air purifier,” says Kahn. He adds that this is especially important if you cook and sleep in the same place.ventilated adj. 通风的Another interior expert is Mia Ingui. She is editor at Spruce, a home design website. She suggests using calming smells like lavender or chamomile at bedtime, to “set the tone for restful sleep.”lavender n. 薰衣草chamomile n. 洋甘菊Also, be sure that computer, TV, and other electronic screens are turned off. In a small room, these devices are probably a short distance from the bed. Their light at night can affect our internal clocks, or circadian rhythm.circadian adj. 生理节奏的,昼夜节律的Do not forget about the sounds these devices make. If the buzz of nearby devices, appliances, or street sounds keep you awake, consider a noise machine. Ingui likes the Hatch Restore, a “sunrise lamp” that provides soothing sounds and lights up slowly in the morning. You can also buy noise cancelling curtains. These cut down on outside noises.buzz n. 嗡嗡声soothing adj. 抚慰的,使人宽心的Keep things clean and organizedAndrea Morris, the home designer, says one thing to avoid when it comes to studio living is leaving beds unmade.“It’s amazing how much better you feel after a hard day entering a space with a made bed,” she said.At night, she suggests putting away electronics. Side tables with plugs and ports for electronics help you store devices and keep things tidy ― or organized and clean. This is another example of choosing furniture that has multiple uses.Choose multi-use, storable beddingIf it difficult to control your studio apartment’s heating and cooling, Ingui recommends choosing materials for bedding that let the skin breathe. Such materials can keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cooler temperatures.She also suggests buying several pieces of bedding that are easy to store rather than big, bulky blankets. Studio apartments often do not have a lot of storage.With some thoughtful choices, your small space can have the feeling we all want from home life: calm, clean and good for both working and sleeping.Part III. KEYQ1. D. 细节题。题目出处为“This can be especially difficult in a studio apartment. In a studio apartment, the living room, kitchen and sleeping area are all in one room.” 意为:“这(即睡个好觉)在一居室公寓内会变得尤其困难,因为一居室公寓的客厅、厨房和睡眠区都在一个房间内。” 因此答案为D。Q2. B. 主旨题。题目出处为:“… asked sleep experts and interior design experts for advice on how to work productively and sleep well in a small one-room area.” 意为:“咨询睡眠专家和室内设计专家如何在一个小房间内有效工作和获得良好睡眠。”因此答案为B。Q3. C. 细节题。题目出处为“For studio apartments, she likes wall beds. These can be folded up next to a wall when not in use. They are better known as Murphy beds.” 意为:“对于单间公寓,她喜欢壁床。这些床不用时可以折叠靠墙。它们更为人熟知的名字是墨菲床。” 因此答案为C。Q4. A. 细节题。题目出处为“His suggestion is to ‘avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.’ He said that this helps the brain connect your bed with only sleep rather than wakefulness and work.” 意为:“他的建议是‘避免在床上工作或做任何会产生压力的事情。’他说,这样有助于大脑将床与睡眠而非与清醒和工作联系起来。”因此答案为A。Q5. C. 推理题。题目出处为“Make sure your space is well ventilated, and consider an air purifier,” 意为:“确保你的房间通风良好,并考虑使用空气净化器。” 因此可以推断出良好的空气流通和使用空气净化器是很重要的。因此答案为C。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

新闻听力 | 美法官裁定谷歌垄断搜索市场

BBC新闻:美法官裁定谷歌垄断搜索市场US Judge Rules Google Monopolized Search Market 常速 | CET-6 偏难 | 146词 | 57s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What is the text mainly about?A. Legal actions against tech companies for violating environmental laws.B. Alphabet’s strategic moves to dominate the internet.C. The judicial ruling on Google’s monopolistic practices in online searches.D. Changes in antitrust laws under different US administrations.Q2. What was the main accusation against Google by the Department of Justice?A. Overcharging for online advertisements.B. Unfairly dominating the online search market.C. Sharing user data without consent.D. Undermining cybersecurity measures.Q3. Who did Alphabet make payments to in order to secure Google search as the default option?A. Apple and Samsung.B. Yahoo and Amazon.C. Microsoft and Hulu.D. Facebook and Twitter.Q4. What was the intended effect of Alphabet’s payments to Apple and Samsung according to the federal judge?A. To improve the user experience.B. To finance new innovations.C. To enhance data privacy.D. To block market rivals.Q5. What can be inferred about the future actions of the Justice Department from the text?A. They will soften their stance on tech companies’ market dominance.B. They will likely continue to enforce antitrust laws rigorously.C. They will shift focus to international tech regulations.D. They will stop pursuing cases started under the Trump administration.Part II. TRANSCRIPTUS Judge Rules Google Monopolized Search Market(Q1) A district judge in the United States has ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online searches and related advertising. (Q2) Antitrust regulators from the Department of Justice had sued Google over its control of 90% of the online search market. sue v. 起诉Michelle Flurry has more details. (Q3) A federal judge ruled that payments by Alphabet to the likes of Apple and Samsung to make Google search the default option on their smartphones and web browsers violated US antitrust law. (Q4) He said Google was a monopolist and the money it had spent in effect blocked rivals from succeeding in the market. The ruling represents a major setback for Alphabet which plans to appeal. (Q5) The Justice Department, which filed the case nearly four years ago when Donald Trump was president, hailed the outcome as an historic win and said it would continue to vigorously enforce antitrust laws.default adj. 默认的monopolist n. 垄断者hail v. 赞扬Part III. KEYQ1. C. 主旨题。这段文字主要讨论了法院对谷歌非法垄断行为的裁决。题目出处为:“A district judge in the United States has ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online searches and related advertising.” 意为:“美国的一名地方法官裁定,谷歌为了维持在线搜索和相关广告的垄断地位采用了非法行为。”因此答案为C。Q2. B. 细节题。题目出处为:“Antitrust regulators from the Department of Justice had sued Google over its control of 90% of the online search market.” 意为:“美国司法部的反垄断监管机构因谷歌对90%的在线搜索市场拥有控制权而起诉了谷歌。” 由此可以看出答案为B。Q3. A. 细节题。题目出处为:“A federal judge ruled that payments by Alphabet to the likes of Apple and Samsung to make Google search the default option on their smartphones and web browsers violated US antitrust law.” 意为:“一名联邦法官裁定,Alphabet向苹果和三星等公司支付费用以使其搜索引擎成为其智能手机和网络浏览器上的默认选项的行为违反了美国的反垄断法。” 因此答案为A。Q4. D. 细节题。题目出处为:“He said Google was a monopolist and the money it had spent in effect blocked rivals from succeeding in the market.” 意为:“他说谷歌是一家垄断企业,并且其所花费的资金实际上阻断了竞争对手在市场上取得成功的机会。” 因此答案为D。Q5. B. 推理题。题目出处为:“The Justice Department ... hailed the outcome as an historic win and said it would continue to vigorously enforce antitrust laws.” 意为:“司法部称结果是具有历史意义的胜利,并表示将继续大力执行反垄断法。” 由此可以推断出司法部坚定打击垄断行为,因此答案为B。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

新闻听力 | 微塑料有害吗

VOA慢速:微塑料有害吗Are Microplastics Harmful? 慢速 | 高考 偏难 | 425词 | 4min39s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What are microplastics and where can they be found, according to the text?A. They are natural sea organisms found only in oceans.B. They are tiny plastic pieces found in oceans, air, food, and human body tissues.C. They are a type of food additive used in processed foods.D. They are synthetic materials found only in manufactured products.Q2. What do some researchers believe about microplastics and human health?A. There is definitive evidence that microplastics harm human health.B. There are no concerns about microplastics and human health.C. There are concerns about potential health effects, but no clear evidence yet.D. Microplastics are beneficial to human health.Q3. What can be inferred about the current state of research on microplastics?A. It is in its early stages, and comprehensive conclusions about health effects are yet to be reached.B. It has definitively proved that microplastics are harmless.C. It has been extensively studied for decades with clear guidelines established.D. It shows that microplastics are beneficial for improving heart health.Q4. What is the primary focus of the text?A. The benefits of microplastics in daily life.B. The manufacturing process of microplastics.C. The presence and potential health effects of microplastics.D. Scientific advancements in plastic recycling.Q5. According to the text, how can people reduce their exposure to microplastics?A. By taking vitamins that reduce microplastics.B. By using plastic bottles and containers.C. By eating out frequently.D. By taking off shoes before entering the home and not heating food in plastic containers.Part II. TRANSCRIPTAre Microplastics Harmful?(Q1) Extremely small pieces of plastic called microplastics are in the ocean and the air, as well as in our food and water. Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.(Q2/4) Some researchers worry that microplastics harm human health, although they say that science has not found clear evidence of that. Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.Manufacturers mostly use oil or other petroleum products to make plastic. The material is used to make a huge number of different products: water bottles, car parts, children’s playthings, clothing, electronics and more. Heat, weather, and even animal digestion break down plastic into smaller and smaller pieces.Microplastics can be 5 millimeters long at most or as small as one micrometer. A micrometer is one-one thousandth of a millimeter. Microplastics have been found in salt, sugar, honey, rice and seafood. They have also been found in milk, soil, and drinking water.micrometer n. 微米 Researchers disagree about how much plastic people might be breathing in or taking in as food and drink. Still, many studies find evidence of plastics in body tissues.Tracey Woodruff is a researcher at the University of California at San Francisco. She said, “Microplastics have been measured in pretty much all of the body tissues that have been evaluated.”Scientists are still trying to answer the question of how harmful microplastics might be. In 2022, a World Health Organization report found no clear risk to human health, based on the available evidence.There is also not clear evidence of widespread public health effects.(Q3) However, researchers only recently began to measure plastic levels in the human body and learn about their possible effects. Woodruff of U.C. San Francisco said it makes sense that microplastics are harmful because they contain poisonous chemicals. The researcher was part of an investigative team that examined nearly 2,000 studies about microplastics at the request of California state lawmakers.Some evidence suggests plastics can increase inflammation and other changes in the body. Such changes could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.inflammation n. 炎症 Researchers say there are ways to reduce possible contact with microplastics.(Q5) Take off your shoes before you go into your home. This helps prevent the spread of microplastics inside. Eat foods ― especially fresh fruits and vegetables ― that you prepare at home. Do not heat foods in plastic containers, Woodruff said. And, she added, use metal or glass water bottles, instead of plastic.I’m Andrew Smith. Part III. KEYQ1. B. 细节题。题目出处为:“Extremely small pieces of plastic called microplastics are in the ocean and the air, as well as in our food and water. Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.” 意为:“极小的塑料碎片被称为微塑料,它们存在于海洋和空气以及我们的食物和水中。科学研究还发现,微塑料存在于人体组织中,包括心脏、肝脏和肾脏。”因此答案为B。Q2. C. 细节题。题目出处为:“Some researchers worry that microplastics harm human health, although they say that science has not found clear evidence of that. Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.” 意为:“一些研究人员担心微塑料会危害人类健康,尽管他们表示科学尚未发现明确证据。不过,他们表示,关于微塑料可能对健康造成的影响,仍有许多问题有待解答。”因此答案为C。Q3. A. 推理题。题目出处为:“However, researchers only recently began to measure plastic levels in the human body and learn about their possible effects.”意为:但是,研究人员最近才开始测量人体内的塑料水平并了解其可能的影响。”因此可以推断出,对于微塑料对健康影响的研究还处于早期阶段,尚未得出全面结论。因此答案为A。Q4. C. 主旨题。本文主要讨论了微塑料的存在以及它可能对健康产生的影响。题目出处为:“Scientific study has discovered microplastics in human body tissues also, including the heart, liver and kidneys.” 和“Still, they say questions remain about the possible health effects of microplastics.”意为:“科学研究还发现,微塑料存在于人体组织中,包括心脏、肝脏和肾脏。”以及“不过,他们表示,关于微塑料可能对健康产生的影响,仍然有问题尚待解答。”因此答案为C。Q5. D. 细节题。题目出处为:“Take off your shoes before you go into your home. This helps prevent the spread of microplastics inside... Do not heat foods in plastic containers… use metal or glass water bottles, instead of plastic.”意为:“进家门之前脱鞋,这有助于防止微塑料在室内扩散……不要在塑料容器中加热食物……使用金属或玻璃水瓶,而不是塑料。”因此答案为D。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

新闻听力 | 小居室如何工作休息两不误?

VOA慢速:小居室如何工作休息两不误?Work, Sleep Well in a Small Place慢速 | CET-4偏易 | 846词 | 8min32s刘立军供稿Part I. QUESTIONSListen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.Q1. What can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep in a studio apartment?A. Lack of furniture.B. High cost of living.C. External noise from the street.D. The combined use of the room for living, cooking, and sleeping.Q2. What is the main purpose of the text?A. To describe the history of studio apartments.B. To advise on how to work and sleep well in a small apartment.C. To compare different types of bedding materials.D. To explain the cost of living in large cities.Q3. What are Murphy beds used for in studio apartments according to Andrea Morris?A. To provide additional storage.B. To improve room ventilation.C. To make more room during the dayD. To create a separate kitchen area.Q4. What does Jeff Kahn suggest to help the brain associate your bed with sleep?A. Avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.B. Use special pillows during sleep.C. Avoid eating in bed.D. Keep the room's temperature cool.Q5. What can be inferred about the importance of air quality in a small apartment?A. It can be ignored in favor of light control.B. It is less important than room décor.C. Good air flow and possible use of an air purifier are essential.D. It is only important if you do not cook in the same space.Part II. TRANSCRIPTWork, Sleep Well in a Small PlaceWorking from home in a small apartment is fine during the day. But when nighttime comes, it may be more difficult to turn off work and get a good night’s sleep.(Q1) This can be especially difficult in a studio apartment. In a studio apartment, the living room, kitchen and sleeping area are all in one room. These kinds of apartments are common in large cities with a high cost of living.With electronics, kitchen items, clothes and books all in one space, it can be hard to create a restful place for sleep.(Q2) Kim Cook, a reporter for the Associated Press, asked sleep experts and interior design experts for advice on how to work productively and sleep well in a small one-room area.Be honest about how you liveEveryone needs good sleep to stay healthy.“The primary rule, maybe the only rule of small space design, is people have to be honest about how they really live,” says Olivia Hosken. She is deputy managing editor of House Beautiful.She adds that when you have limited space, you need furniture that works well in the room.A good bed is important for good sleepShe suggests spending money on a high-quality bed. Even better is a high-quality sleep sofa that can double as a bed and couch. She does not suggest big tables or chairs that you may not use.Andrea Morris is an interior designer with Lancaster Place Interiors in Wilmington, North Carolina. (Q3) For studio apartments, she likes wall beds. These can be folded up next to a wall when not in use. They are better known as Murphy beds, named after William Murphy. He came up with this idea in 1900 while living in his own studio apartment in San Francisco, California.Create a sleep areaTo separate your sleep area from the rest of the apartment, you can purchase a freestanding screen or room divider. And as much as you can, keep your sleep area strictly for sleeping, experts say.Jeff Kahn is co-founder of the Chicago-based sleep-research company Rise Science. His company developed a sleep-tracking app called Rise. (Q4) His suggestion is to “avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.” He said that this helps the brain connect your bed with only sleep rather than wakefulness and work.However, that is not always possible. If you use your bed during the daytime, you can do small things to keep your daytime tasks and sleep separate. Lisa Strauss is a psychologist and expert in sleep disorders. She suggests using one side of the bed for reading and the other for sleeping. You can also bring out special blankets and pillows used only for sleeping. Freshen the air. Lower the lights. Cut the noise.Kahn also suggests keeping a clean, peaceful environment. For starters, he says to make sure the air flow is good.(Q5) “Make sure your space is well ventilated, and consider an air purifier,” says Kahn. He adds that this is especially important if you cook and sleep in the same place.ventilated adj. 通风的Another interior expert is Mia Ingui. She is editor at Spruce, a home design website. She suggests using calming smells like lavender or chamomile at bedtime, to “set the tone for restful sleep.”lavender n. 薰衣草chamomile n. 洋甘菊Also, be sure that computer, TV, and other electronic screens are turned off. In a small room, these devices are probably a short distance from the bed. Their light at night can affect our internal clocks, or circadian rhythm.circadian adj. 生理节奏的,昼夜节律的Do not forget about the sounds these devices make. If the buzz of nearby devices, appliances, or street sounds keep you awake, consider a noise machine. Ingui likes the Hatch Restore, a “sunrise lamp” that provides soothing sounds and lights up slowly in the morning. You can also buy noise cancelling curtains. These cut down on outside noises.buzz n. 嗡嗡声soothing adj. 抚慰的,使人宽心的Keep things clean and organizedAndrea Morris, the home designer, says one thing to avoid when it comes to studio living is leaving beds unmade.“It’s amazing how much better you feel after a hard day entering a space with a made bed,” she said.At night, she suggests putting away electronics. Side tables with plugs and ports for electronics help you store devices and keep things tidy ― or organized and clean. This is another example of choosing furniture that has multiple uses.Choose multi-use, storable beddingIf it difficult to control your studio apartment’s heating and cooling, Ingui recommends choosing materials for bedding that let the skin breathe. Such materials can keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cooler temperatures.She also suggests buying several pieces of bedding that are easy to store rather than big, bulky blankets. Studio apartments often do not have a lot of storage.With some thoughtful choices, your small space can have the feeling we all want from home life: calm, clean and good for both working and sleeping.Part III. KEYQ1. D. 细节题。题目出处为“This can be especially difficult in a studio apartment. In a studio apartment, the living room, kitchen and sleeping area are all in one room.” 意为:“这(即睡个好觉)在一居室公寓内会变得尤其困难,因为一居室公寓的客厅、厨房和睡眠区都在一个房间内。” 因此答案为D。Q2. B. 主旨题。题目出处为:“… asked sleep experts and interior design experts for advice on how to work productively and sleep well in a small one-room area.” 意为:“咨询睡眠专家和室内设计专家如何在一个小房间内有效工作和获得良好睡眠。”因此答案为B。Q3. C. 细节题。题目出处为“For studio apartments, she likes wall beds. These can be folded up next to a wall when not in use. They are better known as Murphy beds.” 意为:“对于单间公寓,她喜欢壁床。这些床不用时可以折叠靠墙。它们更为人熟知的名字是墨菲床。” 因此答案为C。Q4. A. 细节题。题目出处为“His suggestion is to ‘avoid doing work or anything stressful from your bed.’ He said that this helps the brain connect your bed with only sleep rather than wakefulness and work.” 意为:“他的建议是‘避免在床上工作或做任何会产生压力的事情。’他说,这样有助于大脑将床与睡眠而非与清醒和工作联系起来。”因此答案为A。Q5. C. 推理题。题目出处为“Make sure your space is well ventilated, and consider an air purifier,” 意为:“确保你的房间通风良好,并考虑使用空气净化器。” 因此可以推断出良好的空气流通和使用空气净化器是很重要的。因此答案为C。(本文图片来源于摄图网,版权归摄图网所有)

第12届教学大赛英语专业组特等奖胡笑然说课

说课点评:胡笑然老师在说课环节清晰地表达了对所给文章的文本理解和基于语篇主题意义探究而开展教学的基本认识。在拿到文章后的短暂时间内,该选手对语篇进行了审读,并在此基础上快速构思了90分钟的教学设计,形成了基本的教学步骤。根据教学设计,胡老师计划选择与语篇主题相关的短视频为导入,激发学生的学习兴趣;然后以解读语篇为抓手,对语篇的主题、结构、语言、文体等方面进行分析。胡老师按照学生“学后能做”为目的,确定本课的教学目标并介绍了具体的教学步骤。她在教学设计中体现了自己的教学理念和对课文的独到见解,将课文分为三个部分,对每一部分的内容和结构进行了必要的讲解。通过解析语篇的主题,确定了语篇的中心思想,之后列举了语篇的核心概念、关键名词以及相关修饰词及其功能。胡老师将教学目标设定为学生“能做”,即能够理解语篇的主题意义,能够发现篇章结构的特征,能够与话题相同但来源不同的同类文章进行对比从而激发学生的批判性思维,能够从文章的体裁、结构、修辞等方面学习、理解和掌握语篇的关键词语,以及作者对关键概念的词语修饰和语言表达。教学设计安排了学生的小组讨论,要求学生形成有具体步骤的思维导图和概念关联,并在课堂上融入思政元素,并进行必要的陈述。最后一个环节为开放性的讨论,引导学生对不同的观点进行评论。胡老师基于丰富的教学经验和对学情的分析判断,对教学目的、教学重点、教学环节以及设计缘由作了清晰的陈述,显示了其对教学语篇的基本认识和语篇教学娴熟的驾驭能力。说课目的明确,条理清晰,设计突出主题,有一定的感染力,突出学生主体,采用活动途径,倡导体验参与,重视培养学生批判性思维和论说能力,所设计的教学环节有较好的可操作性。从整体上看,胡笑然老师有较高的人文素养和自己的教学风格,语言流畅,表述准确,知识面较广,该说课达到了较高的水准。不过胡笑然老师的时间把控不佳,说课缺乏完整性,强调篇章结构和概念理解,但忽略了教学评的一致性和一体化设计。建议她在今后的教学设计中更加重视学生在语言知识、语言技能、文化内涵、思维心智、情感态度等方面的综合发展和有效评价,积极采用探究式、任务型、交互性的教学方法,加强课外作业的安排和指导,促进学生在语言能力、人文素养、科学思维等方面的同步发展。点评专家:梅德明

第12届教学大赛商务英语组特等奖潘紫萌说课

说课点评:在30分钟的准备时间里,读完、理解一篇800多词的商务英语文章,记住文章的结构和要点,设计出一套有理论指导、教学理念清晰、目标合理、结构完整、方法得当,最好再带点创新的教学方案,然后在10分钟的时间里,用英语条理清晰地把它展示出来,这对任何商务英语教师来讲都是一项重大的挑战。潘紫萌老师首先分析了课文,根据内容将其解构成三大部分。选手将第二部分(第3-8段)归纳成 promotion, price and place 和将第三部分(第9段)归纳成对计划进入中国市场的外国企业的忠告,这都是正确的。但是,她把第一部分(第1-2段)归纳成product,进而把前两部分归纳成营销学中著名的4P战略,这种做法有待商榷。因为课文的第1段主要讲两个问题:1)营销战略如何在中国成功,2)这些战略如何根据中国人的喜好以及对产品或服务的认知进行调整,而不是具体的产品。也许是准备的时间非常紧迫,选手对课文的理解和归纳出现了偏差。然后,潘老师分析了学生的特点。在教学模式上,她采取以学生为中心、以产出为导向的教学模式。其教学目标包括商务英语知识、商务技能和伦理价值。在具体的教学方法上,她例举了基于任务的教学、基于讨论的教学、案例教学、学生参与的测评等,并强调要综合利用线上线下教学资源。在学习测评上,她采用师生共同参与的方式,以增强教学效果。至于具体的教学步骤,她采用BOPPPS模式,再加课后作业。以上教学方案应该说中规中矩,显示出潘老师对商务英语教学的理论、模式、方法和测评等各要素有比较全面的了解。潘老师最亮眼的表现是在10分钟的时间里,用流利的英语将其教学方案展现出来,而且条理清晰,相关的教学理论、教学方法、商务知识、商务案例均了然于胸,信手拈来,同时口到手到,同步将所讲内容写到白板上,手起笔落,一气呵成。在提问阶段,潘老师的表现依旧出色,理解到位,回答中肯,表现出较高的英语基本功和商务、人文素养。不过有的回答可以再精炼一些。比如在回答第一个问题时,把EGP,EOP,EAP,ESP 的定义都讲了一遍,有点啰嗦。总而言之,潘紫萌在说课中表现突出,是一位素质比较全面、经验比较丰富的优秀商务英语教师。点评专家:陈准民

特色工具

系统产品

重点教材